Holy Trinity Historic Site

As mentioned in Our Harvest of Memories, Holy Trinity is a designated heritage site and the following is the entry from the government website "Saskatchewan Register of Heritage Properties - Tourism, Parts, Culture and Sports."

HERITAGE PROPERTY DETAILS

Name of Historic Place: Holy Trinity Anglican Church Site
Other Name(s): Holy Trinity Anglican Church
Date of Origin: 1914
Historic Use: Religious Facility or Place of Worship
Current Use: Religious Facility or Place of Worship
Location: Shellbrook RM 493

FORMAL RECOGNITION

Type of Recognition: Municipal Heritage Property
Date of Recognition: September 3, 1981

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

The Holy Trinity Anglican Church Site is a Municipal Heritage Property located approximately 20 kilometres northeast of Shellbrook. The designation applies to a small, wood-frame church built in 1914.

The heritage value of the Holy Trinity Anglican Church Site lies with its association to the establishment of the Anglican faith in this region of the province. Constructed by local builders and made from locally cut timber, this church was used by the congregation for more than forty years. It remains today one of the oldest Anglican churches in the Shellbrook region and was used until the congregation built a new church at another location in 1958.

The heritage value of the church also lies in its architecture. The church displays the traditional architectural style of rural churches and includes Gothic-Revival elements such as the arched windows, arched main entrance, and front bell tower.

Source: Rural Municipality of Shellbrook No. 493 Bylaw No. 5-1981.

Due to the website information being contained within a frame and not easily linked to, the site has a PDF which can be viewed here.

Heads up if you go looking for the page yourself, there are three other historic Holy Trinity Anglican churches in Saskatchewan, with a total of seven historical churches being named "Holy Trinity" so make sure what you're looking at is in R.M. 493.

Source: Holy Trinity Anglican Church Site - Shellbrook RM 493. 29-Aug-2009. www.tpcs.gov.sk.ca/heritage-property-search

Holy Trinity Church at Sturgeon Valley

The following is a reproduction of a printout located within the Holy Trinity Church next to the guest registry:

Holy Trinity Church at Sturgeon Valley

HOLY TRINITY CHURCH is a log church located two and one half miles north and one mile west of Holbein, Saskatchewan. Previous to its construction in 1914, the Reverend Lewis LeClair held Anglican services in various district homes. In 1914, local muscle and broad-axes combined and produced the hewed, square timbers which became the frame of the church. All of the labour was donated, and the only funds for the construction came in a small grant from the Synod office for finishing lumber.

The first furnishings of the church included an altar, a box-stove, several coal-oil lamps and a few chairs and benches. The "Ladies Aid" (later the Women’s Auxiliary) raised money through ice cream socials and box socials for pew-materials. Mr. Rupert Bruce subsequently assembled and varnished the pews. Later, the Lofthouse family donated the pulpit in memory of their mother who drowned in the Sturgeon River not far from the church itself. The pulpit was built by Mr. Harold Atkinson of Prince Albert, who was Mrs. Lofthouse’s son-in-law.

A brass collection plate was donated in memory of the late Mrs. Rupert Bruce, president of Ladies Aid from 1914 until her death in 1928. The matching vases and Cross were placed in the church in memory of Mrs. Henry Shaw, a sometime nurse at Sturgeon Lake Mission and School. The first organ was a collapsible instrument, probably owned by the organist herself, Mrs. John Hahn.

Mrs. Rupert Bruce was the first W.A. president, and she served with Mrs. Wm. Taylor as vice-president and Hilda Lofthouse as secretary. Other members at the time were Mrs. George Wright, Mrs. Philip Hourie, Mrs. Charles Bruce, Mrs. Gilbertson, Mrs. W. H. Cowles, Mrs. Charles Cowles (the store-keeper's wife), Mrs. Joseph Bruce, Mrs. J. Saunders, Mrs. William Halliday, Mrs. Fred Holbrook and Mrs. Ernie Robarts.

The duties of Mr. LeClair at Sturgeon Lake Mission meant that he could provide only occasional services to Holy Trinity until 1918. At that date, Archdeacon (then Canon) Paul came to Sturgeon Lake and held regular services from 1921 to 1924. The Archdeacon's work among the Native people meant that he was required to go north in summer, being in residence at Sturgeon Valley only in the winter. During the summer student ministers conducted services in the church. One of these summer students went on to become the Right Reverend Harry Hives, Bishop of Keewatin.

The first marriage solemnized in Holy Trinity was performed by Mr. LeClair on May 1, 1916, uniting in Holy Matrimony Rose Holmes and Ernest Robarts, both of Sturgeon Valley. Another early wedding was that of Mr. and Mrs. William Taylor on September 29,1924. The last wedding on record at the church took place between LaVerne Anderson and Corey Ziegeman on the Feast of St. Mary the Virgin, August 15, 1955.

The first Confirmation class was instructed by Archdeacon Paul. The first confirmation, by Bishop Lloyd of Saskatchewan, was held on May 25, 1923. Many adults and teenagers were confirmed at this time.

After Archdeacon Paul was called to another post services were conducted by student ministers during the summer; only occasional services took place during the winter, and these were usually taken by a clergyman from Prince Albert. In 1934 Mr. Richard Snaith, a Methodist minister, moved to Sturgeon Valley and requested Bishop Burch to license him as a lay-reader in the Anglican Church. For several years following that date Mr. Snaith conducted services as necessary, especially during the winter.

In 1958 the congregation had largely outgrown the log church, and it was necessary to build a new building for worship and Christian education. With a loan from the Synod Office, donations from Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cowles, and the assistance of the Women's Auxiliary, work on the new church began in Spring, 1958.

By 1964 only occasional summer services and funerals were held at Holy Trinity. The churchyard has continued in use, and residents of the district attend to its upkeep.

Similar in many ways to the entry in Our Harvest of Memories, the printout does have nice additional information. When it was compiled is unknown but I guess the page I copied was printed within the 1990s due to the document being recognizable as a computer print off with Times New Roman text.

Source: The Anglican Parish of Shellbrook printout. Box 352, Shellbrook, SK, S0J 2E0. Office Telephone: 306-747-2595. Telephone Rectory: 306-747-2462

Holy Trinity Anglican Church and Cemetery History Excerpt

The following is an excerpt regarding Holy Trinity in the district of Sturgeon Valley from Our Harvest of Memories, a locally compiled history book:

Holy Trinity Church

This little old log church was built in 1914 in what was considered to be, at that time, the centre of the Sturgeon Valley settlement.

Mr. Mortimer Montgomery gave the parcel of land on which the church stands and he and Mr. Robert Lofthouse were instrumental in getting the work started. Local people of all denominations gave freely of their labour and a small grant from the Synod was used to buy the finishing lumber required. The furnishings were donated by members of the congregation in memory of their loved ones and the Ladies Aid raised sufficient money, by organizing socials, to pay for the pews, which were assembled and varnished by Mr. Rupert Bruce.

Holy Trinity Church about 1915.

The church was opened on November 1, 1914, by Bishop Newnham, with the Rev. LeClair assisting, and in the early days it was known as the "Church outside the Reserve", according to records in the Synod office.

Baptism of Valerie Ernst and Vern Ziegeman. Canon Payton, clergyman.

In the early days a branch of W.A. was formed with Mrs. Rupert Bruce as the first President, Mrs. Wm. Taylor as vice-president and Hilda Lofthouse as secretary. They were well supported by other women of the congregation and still continue to this day, only the name has since been changed to Anglican Church Women.

At first the Rev. LeClair, working from the Sturgeon Lake Mission, occasionally held services at Holy Trinity and performed any necessary functions until 1918, when the Archdeacon Paul was sent to the Mission and he held regular services at Holy Trinity from 1921 to 1924. As he worked among the Indians he went north in the summer and his place was taken at the church by students from the Theological College.

The first marriage solemnized in this little church was that of Rose Holmes and Ernest Robarts on May 1, 1916.

Rose Holmes and Ernest Robarts -- first wedding held in Holy Trinity Church, May 1, 1916.

The first confirmation class of teenagers and adults was instructed by Archdeacon Paul and confirmed by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Lloyd, (Bishop of Saskatchewan), on May 25, 1923, in Holy Trinity Church.

Confirmation service at Holy Trinity, October 13, 1947. L. to R., Back: Unknown, Ethel Anderson, Walter Anderson, Dreda Mason, Ross Mason. Front: Calvin Stene, Irvin Ziegeman, Mary Ernst, Olive Stene, Lavern Anderson, Elsi Anderson, Bishop Martin, Canon Payton.

When Archdeacon Paul was called to another post, services were conducted by students in the summer, with an occasional service in the winter, usually conducted by a clergyman from Prince Albert. Mr. Richard Snaith, a Methodist missionary in Australia, came to settle in Sturgeon Valley and was given permission by Bishop Burd to become a layreader in the Anglican church and he took the services in Holy Trinity Church for several years.

Church service at Holy Trinity, about 1929. L. to R., Staind Mr and Mrs Corydon Cowles, Joe Bruce, Marvin Cowles, Walter Featherstone, Mrs Lyons, Rose Roberts, Mrs Davidson (partial view), Mrs C. Bruce St. Dora Bruce, Rupert Bruce, Ruth Bruce, Granddad Smith, Jack Wright (partial view), Mrs Hann, George Wright, Jane Robinson, Syd Smith Sr., Jack Mitchell, Bishop Burd. Middle row, Seated: Mrs G. Wright holding Eleanor, Mrs Syd Smith Sr., Mrs J. Saunders, Grandma Smith, Kate Mitchell, Mrs Marvin Cowles. Front row, Seated: Bert Searle, Bert Wright, Audrey Smith, Milt Bruce, Dennis Deatherstone, Wilfred Wright, Bishop Burd's son, Lawrence Featherstone, Eileen Wright.

From March 1942 the church was in the charge of the Rev. W. G. Payton from Prince Albert. In time the settlement began to centre around Brant school and road conditions improved in that area, so church services were held there, especially in the winter. Services in the summer months were taken by a student minister from Emmanuel and St Chad's in Saskatoon, who would reside in the district for the duration of the college vacation. By now Holy Trinity Church had been stuccoed on the outside to preserve the log walls and the cemetery fenced and beautified by the work-bees that were held annually.

Holy Trinity Church after renovation, 1981. Corey Ziegeman in front.

In 1958 it was decided that a new church should be erected nearer to the centre of the district and the building of St. Luke's church was commenced. The much beloved little church, Holy Trinity, was restored in 1980 to an historical site. People in the district, as well as interested people from distant points, were anxious to make this church a monument to the dedicated people who had built it and the many who were laid to rest in the little cemetery alongside the church. Money was raised by donation and a government subsidy. Labour was willingly donated and the work was completed. The church holds many dear memories for the people of the district and, as an historic site, it will be preserved for many years to come.

Cairn, erected in front of Holy Trinity Church, 1982.

While there is only one mention of the churchyard next to the church, the entry is of interest for the history lesson and comparing how many of the mentioned names in relation to the church are actually buried in the churchyard (with or without markers).

Lofthouse, Bruce, Taylor, Snaith, Holmes, and Robarts are all surnames that appear in the text and for individuals in the graveyard. Of the specific individuals mentioned Rupert Bruce, Mary Bruce (Mrs. Rupert Bruce), and Rose Robarts nee Holmes, are buried in Holy Trinity. What the full relationship between the buried individuals and surnames mentioned in the history book remains to be investigated.

Source: Coles, Cathy, ed. "Holy Trinity Church." Our Harvest of Memories: Foxdale, Sturgeon Valley, Silver Cliff, Three Creeks, Rayside, Rich Valley. Shellbrook, SK: Shell River North Book Committee, 1983. pp. 491-493.

Learning More About Holy Trinity

My third expedition to Holy Trinity on August 25th turned into more than just a photo opportunity and checking my drafted churchyard map.

The previous night, Mom had gotten a phone call from Barbara Beck who is a member of the Prince Albert genealogical chapter that deals with the society's cemetery records. She was calling to inquire if Mom would go to Holy Trinity at 10:00 am as she was visiting with Dan Johnston to locate his grandfather's grave once again to mark the area where he will be erecting a gravestone shortly.

With school staring this week my Mom was unable to go but offered me happily in her place. So already having drafted a copy of the churchyard map onto my computer, I spent the morning sketching out a rough map on graph paper to detail new graves and check the existing map with the grave marker locations.

This is where it got confusing.

I knew previously, from Gerald Ernst who provided the churchyard map I was working from, that the plot arrangement had been more recent then the first burials so the churchyard isn't perfectly regimented. When first grave hunting with Dan Johnston, Art Jones, and Mom on June 7th we hunters had come to the conclusion based on tombstone location that lots 28, 29, and 30 had to be shifted one over so that lot 28 was in 29, 29 in 30, and 30 in 31.

I learned today that decision may be erroneous from Ron[ald] and Shelia (Wright) Mason, who joined Dan, Barbara -- and myself with their copy of the cemetery map and photocopies of the Synod office burial records -- that some years ago they moved all markers to disc the churchyard to level it off. So the tombstones predating that levelling might be in the wrong locations.

So, for example, though Tekla G. Viklund's gravestone is physically in the walkway between lots 28 and 29 her actual grave might very well be in plot 1 of lot 28.

Mason's familiarity with Holy Trinity comes from Shelia's father, Herb[bert G.] Wright, being responsible for the cemetery's upkeep in the past and has now passed onto them. As well as having an extensive amount of family buried in the cemetery already: grandparents, parents, sons, niece, and cousin.

So back to the issue of an accurate churchyard map. What would be best (beside ground penetrating radar being used of course, a rod to locate the graves, or backhoe to scrape the sod off to locate the grave shafts) would be to map the current plot locations and indicate all gravestone locations where they lie. Publisher and Excel don't allow for a quick method of doing that though (Barbara drafted her map in Publisher, I did mine in Excel), so it would be best to get out there with stakes, graphing paper, measuring tape, and string and draw everything. Afterwords it can be scanned in and 'computerized'.

Something fun to do in the future. But it might have to wait until much later as there are more cemeteries that I want to get to transcribe before the snow flies. I also got some genealogical society transcribers forms from Barbara and am quite looking froward to using them and seeing how they work out. I also learned that they aren't interested in inscriptions like "At rest" being recorded but information about the individual itself, something like "neé Someone, wife of Somebody" or marriage date if indicated. And with double tombstones, use only one space on the SGS form.

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Edit: 29-Aug-2009. Added Shelia Mason's maiden name and name of father to entry.

Expeditions to Holy Trinity

My expeditions to the closest cemetery to my home, Holy Trinity Anglican Cemetery, happened in two stages. In the beginning of July on the 13th, later in August on the 23rd. The reason for the large gap between expeditions was the fact that the camera I use went on vacation -- to Ontario for one month and then British Columbia for a week. (Which has prompted me to consider purchasing my own camera for grave hunting expeditions.)

The expedition in July was done in the company of my two and half year old nephew, who loved the Anglican church but wasn't so enthused about Auntie taking photographs of graves. That day was split into two visits, one with the nephew and one while he was napping to get photo collection and inscriptions for about sixty of the graves.

The visit on August 23rd didn't just result in a complete transcription of the churchyard however. I went to the churchyard with Mom this time and while there we ran into three senior individuals who were looking for St. Luke's Anglican Church which was decommissioned approximately five years ago. They were to view the building to see if it would be suitable for their new church building as their community's church had burned down five months ago during the winter. So we visited, talked about Holy Trinity as a church and the cemetery, as well as St. Luke's (church with no cemetery), and St. Martin's in Briarlea (church with cemetery).

Visit concluded the three individuals went off to find St Luke's, Mom began to walk home as that had been what she'd planned to do, and I started photographing graves starting in the opposite corner of the churchyard so I didn't photograph graves that I'd covered back in July. I only covered twenty-one graves though before the batteries died in the camera. So I sighed and began the drive home and realised half way to my destination that I had the camera case with me at the churchyard -- the case with the extra batteries. But I decided that as I wasn't wearing sunscreen and it was a very sunny day I should probably get indoors anyways.

Loading the new photos onto my laptop, I began immediately compiling a photo directory with inscription information. Done that, I went back and reorganized July's data. Making and reorganizing the photo directories I discovered that I'd overlapped gravestones which means that I might actually be done with Holy Trinity but will know for sure when I compile a combined burial and gravestone record for the cemetery in the form of a transcript and map.

The third visit is to finalize the churchyard map as I realized that while I was certain I had a complete transcription of the churchyard on August 23rd, I didn't know the spatial locality of all the graves (oops!), to make sure I've documented all the markers, and take some better photographs of certain markers because of cloudy weather back in July.